- Title: Egypt-Turkey: World War I Gallipoli
- Date: 18th March 1915
- Summary: Australian and New Zealand troops were sent to Gallipoli in 1915 in an attempt to open a new front against Turkey, who had entered the war on Germany's side, and to open the Black Sea route for supplies to Russia. Operations began with naval bombardments of the forts guarding the straits. In the main naval action, on March 18, 1915, three battleships were sunk by mines and several others ships badly damaged by gunfire. The attempt to reduce the forts from the sea had failed. General Sir Ian Hamilton, sent to command the Allied forces, had five divisions to the Turk's six: two form the UK, one from France and two divisions from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps under General Sir William Birdwood. The Turkish defenders had the advantage of positions in the hills overlooking the landings. The Allies suffered heavy losses in establishing their two precarious footholds. They could make little progress, their forces were some miles apart and the exposed beaches were poor places for landing men and supplies. With both sides well dug in stalemate developed. Later in the year it was acknowledged that the initially promising but ill-fated exercise should be given up. The one consolation was that the evacuation was carried out almost without loss. The invasion attempt had cost 213,980 casualties.
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- Location: EGYPT
- Reuters ID: LDL000X4CCFCJ
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
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- Copyright Holder: Reuters Archive
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